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Furry Convention Experience (Retrospective)
2 years ago
Dramatized inner monologue, feel free to ignore, or if you are feeling kind, provide some of your own perspecitves, all are greatly appreciated🧡💚💜
I attended a Furry Convention for the first time on Feb 4th, (Scotiacon in Glasgow) and it was genuinely quite an experience.
A lot of good things happened, mainly I got to see that we are indeed everywhere, in all shapes and sizes, genders, species and identities. And looking back, it is indeed heartwarming that a community is indeed as inclusive and welcoming as it presents itself. Enjoyed the relative lack of drama, though I have been out of the convention hotel so I might have missed something (thank god XD). There was quite a bit of fun when things went wrong during certain events. Not to dwell too much on the meme, but let's just say I am switching to marmelade in my breakfast, especially around pieces of technology.🤣
However, I am writing this in a state of post-con depression, something that many people can struggle with. The causes are varied, be it burnout, stress and anxiety from being constantly on the move, or the resulting balance on one's bank account - trust me I know them all. But what I think I want to mention (and apologies if it is crying into the ether) is how these beautiful moments feel so fleeting in retrospect.
Now, this is not to say it was not worth it. The fact that there is only one convention in Scotland (and pretty much none in Slovakia), makes me feel extra grateful for even having an opportunity. Getting to see, meet (and hug💜) all the amazing suiters was incredible. Seeing that there is a market for furry items here and that there are incredible people who want them, is incredibly validating. But now the con is over, and all of it, seems distant yet again.
I make no secret that I am struggling to find company. Hell, my surroundings would surely greatly appreciate me not whining about it. I have some amazing friends, and even they must be rolling their eyes at me at times. And I have been told, and accepted, that being in a relationship does not make one happy. But I keep coming back to the time when I did have a boyfriend, and admit that yeah, I used to be pretty happy back then. Probably even more so than at any other times. And my mind drifts back to the people I met at the con, chatted with quite a few of them, and some even giving me their compliments. But the con is over, and I may never see these people again.
"So I stare into the gold-tinted full moon, spreading over the night as I am staring out of the windows of my home - thinking, was it all just a sweet dream?"
I attended a Furry Convention for the first time on Feb 4th, (Scotiacon in Glasgow) and it was genuinely quite an experience.
A lot of good things happened, mainly I got to see that we are indeed everywhere, in all shapes and sizes, genders, species and identities. And looking back, it is indeed heartwarming that a community is indeed as inclusive and welcoming as it presents itself. Enjoyed the relative lack of drama, though I have been out of the convention hotel so I might have missed something (thank god XD). There was quite a bit of fun when things went wrong during certain events. Not to dwell too much on the meme, but let's just say I am switching to marmelade in my breakfast, especially around pieces of technology.🤣
However, I am writing this in a state of post-con depression, something that many people can struggle with. The causes are varied, be it burnout, stress and anxiety from being constantly on the move, or the resulting balance on one's bank account - trust me I know them all. But what I think I want to mention (and apologies if it is crying into the ether) is how these beautiful moments feel so fleeting in retrospect.
Now, this is not to say it was not worth it. The fact that there is only one convention in Scotland (and pretty much none in Slovakia), makes me feel extra grateful for even having an opportunity. Getting to see, meet (and hug💜) all the amazing suiters was incredible. Seeing that there is a market for furry items here and that there are incredible people who want them, is incredibly validating. But now the con is over, and all of it, seems distant yet again.
I make no secret that I am struggling to find company. Hell, my surroundings would surely greatly appreciate me not whining about it. I have some amazing friends, and even they must be rolling their eyes at me at times. And I have been told, and accepted, that being in a relationship does not make one happy. But I keep coming back to the time when I did have a boyfriend, and admit that yeah, I used to be pretty happy back then. Probably even more so than at any other times. And my mind drifts back to the people I met at the con, chatted with quite a few of them, and some even giving me their compliments. But the con is over, and I may never see these people again.
"So I stare into the gold-tinted full moon, spreading over the night as I am staring out of the windows of my home - thinking, was it all just a sweet dream?"
the post con depression is real, remember you are exhausted physically and socially, but it is in my experience also what makes these experiences so intoxicating and addictive. When the con ends you treat the following depression by looking at the next con, make your plans and... as this community isn't limitless, you will meet the same people again. Some may not remember you, you may not remember some of them. It takes a few times to get into a personal circle of people to look forwards to meeting up with every time you go. Con friends, who might grow into close everyday friends.
If it is the people specifically that you miss, remember that social media exist and you can poke around to say hi to some of them (I am sure https://twitter.com/XuuMoo will be happy to hear from you)
For me, the world of cons has always felt like an existence that never really ends. Yes, the con is over but the people are not gone. They are living their lives like we are too, carrying the experiences, their artistry and jam in their hearts. And we wait for next time, when the gates to this world reopen and we may once again enter.
*extends a paw... I'm Vixyy, pleased to meet you and been there and done that. You made me remember my very first con and all the emotions that so flooded my being. Thank you for that.
The depression is normal. You want things to go on forever.
I spent years at work subtly letting my furryness shine through and trying to explain things to others. One co-worker looked at me and said, "That's where people dress as animals and have sex, right?" All I could do was sigh and slap my forehead.
Vix